Date of Birth:
Tuesday, April 19, 1927
Date of Death:
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Age:
83 years old

Doris Marjorie Severeid

Doris Marjorie Severeid, a longtime Rochester resident, passed away unexpectedly in her sleep early Christmas morning at Shorewood Place.

Doris was born on April 19, 1927, on a farm near Lake Wilson, Minnesota to parents Lars and Margaret (Vallance) Aga. She attended school there, graduating in 1945. She was “robbed from the cradle” at age 19 by Vinal Severeid, marrying on March 23, 1946 in Lake Wilson. The couple lived in Florence, Minnesota until Vinal was hired by Caterpillar distributor Ziegler Inc. This opportunity took them to St. Paul, Minneapolis, Rochester, and Mankato before they were finally able to establish roots back in Rochester in 1957.

Doris was an active member of Zumbro Lutheran Church and participated in the ladies’ Mary Circle for many years. She was also active in the Sons of Norway Kristiania Lodge #47 and was elected the group’s president in 2000 and 2001. Proud of her Norwegian heritage, she was able to visit her father’s homeland several times and got to see the actual Aga Tunet  where he was born and raised. On one of her trips, she purchased a Hardanger bunad, a traditional regional dress that she wore to parades and other local events.

She was also a Cub Scout Den Mother, Brownie and Girl Scout Leader and a long-time proponent of and contributor to the Ronald MacDonald House.

In addition, she loved working in the gift-wrap department at Dayton’s for many years, developing numerous long-lasting friendships, including her notorious “Dirty Seven” card group!

Instant friend, stranger to none, she had an endearing personality, quick wit, a charming, warm sincerity that made her likeable to anyone she met.

She is survived by her husband, son Michael (Maricusa), their daughters Anna Cristina (Carlos Noyola), their children Santiago and Julieta, all of Monterrey, Mexico, and Melissa of San Diego, CA; daughter Maureen Steffes (David) of Cottage Grove, MN, their children Brian (Katie) of Chicago, IL and Julie (Pat) Tait of Cottage Grove, MN; and daughter Marjorie “Marge” Severeid (Bob Curry) of Rochester, MN; step-grandsons David (Renee) Curry of Rochester, MN; Marc (Jennifer) Curry of Raleigh, NC and Michael (Shelley) Curry of Houston, TX and 7 step-great-grandchildren; 1 sister (Ann Helmke) of Lake Wilson and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and 3 brothers (Gordon, George and Raymond).

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Zumbro Lutheran Congregation or Mayo Clinic Dept. of Development for Medical Research.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN with Pastor Shelley Cunningham officiating.  A visitation will be held from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the church.

Macken Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com